the various columns forming the intended junction about the 28th or 29th inst. on the heights of Candy, agreeably to the instructions transmitted to you on the 3d inst. you are directed to march on the 20th of this month, bending your course towards the province of Ouva, and form junction at the entrance of that part, with the detachment ordered from Hambangtotte, which will march the same day, the 20th inst., by the rout of Catragame, on the great road leading to Candy, which is frequented by the King for visiting that temple.

You will in junction with the other detachments concert such measures as will best tend to effect the greatest devastation and injury to the enemy's country.

All persons found in arms to be immediately made examples of, and the peaceful and defenceless peasant to be spared.

You will note in writing all observations relative to the country, as our future opera

tions will be guided by them in that part, and transmit your journal to me for the General's information.

I have the honour to be, &c.

(Signed)

Jaffnapatam,
8th Sept. 1804.

R. MOWBRAY.

Act. D. Adj. Gen.

Considering this letter as merely a modification of the original plan of operations, as far as related to change of route and day of march, I immediately sent off an express to Colonel Maddison, commandant of the Hambingtotte detachment, naming a place for the junction of our columns. The distance from Batticolo to Hambingtotte being nearly 200 miles, and our orders being to commence our march on the 20th, it would have been impossible to receive Colonel Maddison's answer to my dispatch before that period. Of course there could be no room for mutual consultation in regard to the place of junction: it was indispensable, therefore, that I should specify it at once, and I accordingly named Kiratavillé, a large village

situated on the frontiers of Ouva, the residence of a candian chief, and likely in consequence to be well known to the guides.

The remainder of the narrative will be most properly continued, and best understood, in the form of a journal.

Sept. 20. In the evening embarked with the British troops and stores, on the Batticolo river, and proceeded during the night to Surcamony, a village on its banks, distant 27 miles.

21. This day principally occupied in landing the stores. Joined by the native troops, who had proceeded by land from Batticolo.

Our detachment now consisted of the following numbers.

Sept. 22. Marched at day-light to the westward, keeping in a southerly direction as much as the nature of the country would admit, in order to approximate the route of Colonel Maddison's detachment.

23, 24, 25, 26. Followed the same course, expecting, as we drew nearer to the place of rendezvous, to hear of the Hambingtotte division.

27. Reached Sambapelly after a very fatiguing march of above 70 miles, (from Surcamony) over a country wild and mountainous in the highest degree. During the last 60 miles we had not seen a house or a human

being nor was there any thing except the paths through the forests and round the bases of the mountains, to induce a belief that this quarter had ever been peopled. We crossed one broad river and several smaller streams, none of which, fortunately, impeded our march. The weather during the day was close and sultry, the circulation of the air being impeded by the forests; the nights, on the contrary, were foggy and cold. These changes of climate began to take effect on the troops, and I found it necessary to send. back from hence two Malays and twentytwo Bengal Sepoys, who were indisposed. Sambapelly is a small village, near which stands the residence of a Candian chief. The country in the vicinity assumes a more favourable appearance. Some villages are discernible, and the vallies are in many parts cultivated.

28. Marched at day-light, the country continuing mountainous, but the slopes of the hills in many places cleared, and the vallies in general cultivated. Passed through ome villages which were entirely deserted.